Member Reviews
Kiss Me In New York is one of those sweet Christmas reads that make you smile.
If you liked Dash & Lily's Book of Dares I think you will like this one as well as it takes us all across New York as well and brings two people together during the holiday season.
Charlotte is a foreign exchange student who was just in New York for the semester and is now trying to get back to the UK and her family on Christmas Eve. She's also dealing with a breakup where she thought she was in love.
Anthony is a college student who is surprising his girlfriend at the airport as she gets home for christmas. Except the girlfriend has other plans and they break up.
With both of them now alone on Christmas Eve with no plans they decided to work together to follow along a book that Charlotte bought in the airport "Ten Easy Steps for Getting Over Your Ex".
I really liked both Charlotte and Anthony they were both smart young individuals who were trying to make the best of not fun situations. Both of them had really good back stories and were well thought out and the way we get to know each of them wasn't rushed.
Seeing them get to know eachother and really help each other and start to get over what had happened was so nice to see. Nothing was instant and even though they were only with eachother for about half a day the connections they make and the help that they give each other was a once in a lifetime experience.
Honestly I'm surprised with how much I loved this book because it is a contemporary and normally I struggle to like these. But this one I fell in love with it was a story that takes the best of the holiday spirit and really shows how sometimes its okay to admit that were all just muddling through part of the holiday spirit. Charlotte and Anthony are also two characters I would love to get to see again in the future and to see how there next Christmas goes after the adventures that they had this year.
This was an adorable holiday story. It was about second chances and find love where you least expect it. There's something magical about New York City at Christmas and this story captures that essence perfectly. The characters are both struggling with heart aches but form a special bond after a Christmas adventure in NYC. I love the NYC setting, and I love the characters. Kiss Me in New York was sweet, and fun holiday read.
I enjoyed seeing New York at Christmas time from an Italian New York native and a newbie English girl. Even though they just meet during a time they both have fresh heartache, they try to help each other mend it.
I'm not used to reading books that take place in a 12-hour period, but this was a cute little Christmasy story that didn't center heavily on the holidays. I was surprised I liked it and how realistic it was.
I am reviewing Kiss Me in New York by Catherine Rider. I was given a free copy of it through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes that may follow below are from the text and are not my words.
I am sure that we all have dealt with bad breakups. It is rare for people to never have one. It is also rare that they go well. The dissolution of a relationship is a death of sorts. You tend to go through the stages of grief. Then one day, you finally realize that you will live. This book deals with that. Two heartbroken people and the quest that they take on to find closure and heal.
To say that I enjoyed this book would be an understatement. It was very good. The characters were relatable. I found myself thinking, "I have been there.". The author's use of New York made it another character in a way. You could look at a map and trace the journey that the characters are a part of. I could not help but smile at this. This book deals with so much more than just breakups. It deals with self-esteem issues, grief, self-doubt, betrayal, and pain. Like I said, it is definitely something most have endured.
I am rating this book Four Stars because there were moments where it was predictable. It also had some moments where it drug a little or characters were introduced that weren't exactly necessary. I will most likely read this book again. It was a very fun read and I will be recommending it.
InkedBookDragon
This book was adorable; a super cute Christmas read that had my teeth aching with the sweetness. Yes it was a little bit of a cliché, and yes I knew how it was going end, but I was so happy the whole time I was reading it.
Kiss Me in New York is the story of an unexpected meeting at JFK airport of Charlotte and Anthony, both of whom have recently broken up with their respective partners. Charlotte is English and stuck in New York thanks to the snow and Anthony is a native New Yorker. The story is told from both perspectives but for the most part, it is told through the eyes of Charlotte (who manages to be a YA contemporary character who I didn't want to punch in the face so there's that for a success!) They’re both fabulous characters who have choices to make other than who's going to date who. It’s thought-provoking and fun, and you root for them throughout.
Between them, they try and get over there exes by following the tips in a book called ‘Get Over Your Ex in Ten Easy Steps.’ The steps are loosely followed as the pair gets into all sorts of hilarious consequences leading to an ending which is super sweet. If you're a fan of Dash and Lily's Book of Dares, then this book is for you. It is super short, can be devoured easily in one sitting and is a must read over the Christmas season!
This was a light modern day clean Christmas romance. The main characters, Charlotte and Anthony, were both suffering from horrible break ups and manage to find each other in the JFK airport and dash off to whirlwind activities. I appreciated that there was no sex in this book. Thank you author! I thought it a bit far fetched at how much was going on on Christmas Eve--youth out for parties, a singles dating game so that aspect didn't resonate with me. This is a fun holiday read that I would recommend to others!
I felt the romance vibes in the air. yes, it was!! the book is very good at telling romantical story. So if you're into that type of read, you need to check this one out.
This book is too cliched. Im not enjoying reading this at all. That is why im DNF'ing it.
The storyline of this book isn’t terrible. Considering it’s probably supposed to be a cheesy holiday romance, it’s pretty okay. Sure, it’s unrealistic, but if all books were entirely realistic, they wouldn’t be much of an escape. My problem with this book is that it is written so very poorly that what could have been a bearable plotline was actually extremely irritating.
I found the opening chapter to be very confusing. First, who finishes a semester abroad on Christmas Eve? Second, what was even the point of introducing the Hipster Hottie in the beginning? Looking back, Charlotte had a much cuter meet-cute with this rando than with Anthony, only for us to find out his only purpose was to be the source of Anthony’s misery. Next, I am having trouble figuring out how exactly Charlotte could have this much anger inside of her after having broken up with her semester-abroad-fling. Seriously, this girl is raging and she was with the boy for only a few months. Girl has some anger issues. She even notes later on that they “were only together for a semester.” So like, she knows how ridiculous she’s being.
The part about following the steps of this relationship guru book is entirely unrealistic, but for the sake of cheesy holiday romance, kind of makes sense. What doesn’t make sense, is this writing style. Seriously, it reads like a 13-year-old is trying to visualise what it will be like as a high school senior. The pizza scene? I cringed reading it. Same with the scene with the carolers (and Cheese, good lord). If the author didn’t try so hard to sound poetic about the whole thing, it might be bearable. Still, what is with this line – “I brace myself for him to lose it, go full-on Brooklyn (what does that even mean?) – whatever that is (then why are you saying it?) – maybe pick up the needle and forcibly tattoo Joe in revenge.” Like what is even going on? Granted, the whole tattoo scene is a mess – who randomly goes into a tattoo shop and lets the artist free will who is probably almost 100% high? The entire book feels like it was written by someone who has no idea (or has forgotten) what teenagers actually act like (I realise that Anthony is not technically a teenager, sue me).
Let’s talk about Anthony though. He reminds me a ton of that guy from 500 Days of Summer. The one played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt who feels like he deserves the girl and stalks her trying to convince her she loves him? Anthony doesn’t do that exactly, but he has the same kind of attitude. First off, one of his first lines is “then I guess you don’t understand love.” Neither do you, small child. Later, he intentionally hits Charlotte with a CitiBike to get her attention. I realise the author probably meant that he just nudged her, but seriously, write that, don’t describe a full-on attack with a two-wheeler. And then we have the “maybe I hadn’t given up football thing.” What purpose does that detail serve? The book does not go on about his lost love for football. And then we get the whole mother-cancer-backstory, which was the worst (I’ll get to Anthony’s family scene in a bit). And then Anthony does the whole “she’s not like other girls” thing with thinking that Charlotte is above selfies – well fuck you Special Snowflake, selfies are the best and sometimes really help with self-esteem. Also, what is even wrong with feeling the way you look and wanting to document it? (I am a big selfie promoter). And then we get a little glimpse into his mind when he sees an old couple and thinks “I wonder if this is their last Christmas together,” like good lord, take your moody emo ass and put it elsewhere don’t bother thinking about this charming couple and whether or not they’re going to DIE. There are so many side tidbits and inner dialogues like this that I can’t even keep track of the actual story. And how he goes on and on and on about Maya. Like seriously, it is so evident to me that he felt the relationship was much more serious than she ever did. He sounds like a lost puppy (again, like 500 Days of Summer guy). And then he goes and thinks to himself that he was doing so well at not thinking about Maya – hello? Have we been reading the same story? She’s all he ever thinks about! And then we have a prime example of well-off white boy privilege, when they are caught sledding in Central Park at night and get caught, and he oh-so-casually drops that his brother is a cop. And then the cop casually calls in to check. And then the cops give them a lift home because clearly this lawbreaker is telling the truth? And then we get to his house where he drops in on his laughably stereotypical Italian family (where he calls his grandmother Grandma instead of Nonna, like every Italian family ever, does – do your research authors). Here we have them being all happy and then suddenly forlorn because damn it’s the anniversary of poor Isabella’s death (did I mention that part of Anthony’s tragic backstory yet?). And then when Charlotte arrives, they tell her their entire lives’ history, even though they literally just met her. And they automatically assume she is having boy trouble because she cannot decide if she wants to come back to New York – like hello? Moving to another country is a hella big decision that requires serious thought and does not have to revolve around a boy?
New paragraph. The end where they get separated by train is laughable. Like honestly, that is so typical that I am not even mad. Because then we get the whole “screw this I am going to the Empire State Building” plan of Charlotte’s. Which leads to Anthony declaring his love for the ticket lady once he finally gets there (seriously, he does, I am not kidding). And then to add to his emotional fuckboyness (because I think I’ve established that is what he is), HE ACTUALLY SAYS M’LADY. LIKE AN ACTUAL FUCKBOY.
There is a lot here that I have an opinion on, and a lot that I have an opinion on that I didn’t write. But seeing as how I’ve been fairly terrible to this book (although for good reason), I shall stop there. The best parts about this book are 1) A gay Macy’s Santa Clause, 2) how they literally bought a dog from a homeless man and named it Mistake like how hilarious is that?, and 3) the drunk man on the train that they followed to a singles’ mixer (I swear I cannot make this up). And then there is the part at the end where they are “in love” after only knowing each other for like, seven hours, and that Charlotte TOTALLY made her decision to go to Columbia because she was “in love”, and that Anthony ran past security at the airport to kiss her one final time (we live in a post-9/11 world, people, he would be tasered for that in real life). And the god-awful inner monologues for both of the characters that took up more space than actual dialogue between them. And the interactions between the two characters – the author suggests that they are nonverbally communicating as if they are an old married couple, reading the minds of each other and assuming that this average look on the other’s face has this miles-long meaning. Honestly.
Like I previously said, the storyline of the book IS NOT TERRIBLE. I probably wouldn’t mind reading it, if only the writing was bearable, like, at all. It’s entirely unrealistic, but hey, that’s what books are for. I almost feel like re-writing this entire story, just so that it can get the writing it deserves. But nevertheless, I suppose if none of the things I have pointed out in 1400 words annoys you, maybe give this a shot but damn, don’t expect to feel any different afterwards.
I really enjoyed this holiday tale. I could relate to Charlotte's desire for an adventure. Also I was amused every time she got lost in her head. Not sure how realistic it was for her to go off with a random strange guy but I went with it. Anthony was my favorite character though. His heart having been so recently broken in more than one way made me feel so sad for him. The dynamic between these two was often hilarious but also sweet. Although I did sometimes get lost as to where they were going with their random musings. If I read too quickly, I also sometimes got lost as to whose chapter belonged to each of them. It was only toward the end that the story started to drag for me. Otherwise a pleasant, holiday read for fans of Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist and John Green's Let It Snow.
Kiss Me in New York was such an adorable holiday contemporary that is perfect as the weather starts to get colder. Charlotte and Anthony spend the day together after a snowstorm leaves Charlotte stranded. Both are coming off breakups and decide to spend their night on a quest to get over their exes and in the process, grow closer themselves. The romance between Charlotte and Anthony was adorable. I feel like I really got to know them as characters as well, not just love interests. The wintery New York setting was the perfect backdrop to their adventure and created a unique tone. This was such an easy read, I finished it in one sitting - it light, it fluffy, it perfect for this time of year!
I loved this book! It was such a cute, fun, romantic read! I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys romance novels as well as the movie Sleepless in Seattle. It only has nods to the movie so if you are thinking that it will just be a rehash there is no reason to worry. The two main characters, Charlotte and Anthony, have recently had their hearts broken by significant others causing them to dread the holidays. They meet at the airport after Anthony has just been dumped and Charlotte suggests that they try to get over their Exs by following the steps in a self help book on getting over Exs.
I enjoyed being along for the ride with these two characters as they attempted to get over being dumped. They are each wonderful in their own ways. Anthony is a romantic at heart who has big dreams for his future but is also grounded. He is very sweet, intelligent, and loves with all of his heart. He doesn't always react in the best of ways because he is upset over his breakup but I loved him all the same. Charlotte adds quite a bit of humor to the novel because of her British slang that no one around her seems to understand and her spontaneity. I really felt for her because she wants to feel like she belongs somewhere and is searching for that place. After having her heart broken, she is not sure that New York is that place. The city does not seem to look or feel the same because her sense of wonder has been lost. I appreciated the fact that the characters were very different (where they come from/backgrounds) but at the same time they were similar (likes/dislikes).
It was interesting to see how Charlotte and Anthony interpreted the steps in the book as well as how they navigated everything. The author is able to show how each of them have a different perspective on things as well as what they gave up/ lost of themselves in the course of their relationships. It was a great way to highlight their personalities through watching the steps unfold over the course of the book.The author includes the steps at the beginning of each chapter and they are written in such a way that it really feels like you are reading the self help book along with them.
The author gives a glance at some deeper topics in each of the characters lives but doesn't delve into them because that is not the main focus of the book. These topics do, however, add depth to the book so that it is not just another simple, quick romance. I feel that this book is about what it takes to not only get over a broken heart but also finding out that we may wear rose colored glasses in relationships so that we are not able to clearly see when a relationship is not working. It is about finding that person that elevates you without taking away who you are as an individual.
This book was so cute! I read it in a few hours--def a quick read but worth it. A love story made up of two jilted loves who meet randomly in the airport and end up spending Christmas Eve together in NYC. That is what super cute YA romances are built on. Charlotte is a British exchange student with a great accent, hilariously British expressions and an attitude that makes her so loveable. Anthony is born and raised in NYC and totally acts that way. They complement each other and the hours they spend together are a great story. I loved how they met, spent the evening together and then ended up together. Def worth your time!! LOVED IT! Quick YA Romantic Read! Thanks NetGalley!!
I liked this. It was sweet, to the point but so adorable with their journey to getting over their exes. The beginning was pretty funny with Charlotte's grouchiness at the airport, and I liked the way she was introduced to Anthony. The characters were pretty cool. The story was entertaining. I got enough of them to enjoy their mildly crazy adventure through New York and get a feel of how they are as two young people just trying to find the definition of love.
3.5 Reviews. I thought this was a very cute read. Although it lacked depth and definitely had insta-love, it was still enjoyable and was a very feel-good type of book.
Nice book to pass the time, but it didn't make me obsessed at all. The characters and scenarios were nice, but nothing out of the ordinary.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
Kiss me in New York is a lovely contemporary young adult romance.
It's an amazing feelgood story about Charlotte and Anthony.
It's perfect to read around the holidays, because it's set in New York during Christmas.
It's very well written and I loved it from the start.
For the sake I'm being honest, I would like to say that this wasn't a favourite book of mine. The story line was good and the premise held promise but I found the writing style to be very distracting. The author uses a lot of dashes in her writing. I know it sounds silly but it lessened the effect that they have from a grammar stand point. Also the writing seemed rushed. The protagonists voice was hard to follow due to this speed.
In the end I did read the book and it had it's enjoyable moments (I really enjoyed the humour that this book offered) but ultimately I was too distracted by grammatical issues to truly enjoy this read.